Ratchet Wrench Assembly via Segmented Alignment and Intermediary Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ratchet wrenches are difficult to assemble due to the small inner diameter of the cardioid spring's closed tip, which makes it challenging for users to align the shift pin with the threaded portion and the circular penetrating hole, complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A ratchet wrench design featuring a heart-shaped spring with a push rod, button, and screw mechanism that allows for lateral movement of the ball relative to the D-head, using a ring and elastomer to simplify assembly by controlling the engagement and disengagement of the loose ratchet with the head portion's teeth through directional rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular penetrating hole with diameter matching the threaded portion is used in the rotatable disc, then the threaded portion can pass through, but the assembly becomes difficult because the user must simultaneously align the hole with the threaded portion and the shift pin with the closed tip of the cardioid spring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the assembly process into two separate steps: first, the threaded portion passes through the circular penetrating hole to position the rotatable disc; second, the shift pin is inserted through the long groove to engage with the closed tip of the cardioid spring. This segmentation eliminates the need for simultaneous alignment of multiple components, significantly easing the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The long groove in the rotatable disc serves as an intermediary feature that guides the shift pin during assembly. The groove's length and positioning allow the shift pin to be inserted and aligned with the closed tip of the cardioid spring without requiring precise simultaneous alignment with the threaded portion, thus mediating the alignment difficulty.
2Reliability
If the inner diameter of the closed tip of the cardioid spring is made small to accommodate only the shift pin, then the spring fits tightly, but the assembly becomes not easy and not convenient for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the positioning functions: the circular penetrating hole handles the threaded portion alignment, while the long groove handles the shift pin alignment. This allows the closed tip of the cardioid spring to maintain its small inner diameter for tight fit while the shift pin is guided by the groove, preventing assembly difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded portion is first passed through the circular penetrating hole to position the rotatable disc before the shift pin is inserted. This preliminary action sets up the correct positioning, making the subsequent insertion of the shift pin into the long groove and engagement with the cardioid spring straightforward and convenient.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easier assembly and operation by allowing the D-head to rotate in one direction while disengaging from the teeth in the other, enhancing user convenience and reducing assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer is assembled between the button and the ring, and the elastomer encloses a top end of the push rod
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet wrench having easily assembling structure comprises a body, a D-head, a loose ratchet, a heart-shaped spring
Data Source
AI summary
A ratchet wrench having easily assembling structure includes a body, a D-head, a loose ratchet, a heart-shaped spring, a disc and a ring. The body has a head portion. The head portion has a through hole. A plurality of teeth is uniformly defined on the through hole. The D-head is rotatably disposed in the through hole and has a connecting member and a threaded member. The loose ratchet is disposed on the D-head. The heart-shaped spring has a closed tip. The disc is disposed on the head portion. A shouldered hole is opened on the disc. A ring is disposed onto the shouldered hole. The ring is disposed onto the shouldered hole. Under this arrangement, a user engages a tool bit with the connecting member of the present invention to lock a bolt by repeatedly rotating the body of the present invention clockwise/counterclockwise.